St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa Retires After Winning World Series

Just days after earning his third career World Series title, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa announced Monday that he is retiring.

He managed for 33 seasons, with stints with the White Sox and Athletics before joining the Cardinals in 1996. La Russa, 67, is third all-time in post-season wins and third in regular season wins.

“Tony leaves behind a legacy of success that will always be remembered as one of the most successful eras in Cardinals history,” chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said. “I knew this day would come. I just hoped that it wouldn’t.”

In addition to winning the Fall Classic this season, La Russa also managed the Cardinals to a World Series title in 2006 and guided them to the National League pennant in 2004 before losing to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.

Prior to his arrival in St. Louis, La Russa was already a decorated skipper, leading the A’s to a World Series victory in 1989, while losing in 1988 and 1990.

With La Russa calling it a career, fans are now left to wonder whether how his decision might affect Albert Pujols’ free agency this offseason.